UAE uniquely positioned to fuel UK’s green hydrogen growth at WFES 2026 with renewable expertise, strategic investment and deep bilateral collaboration.
ABU DHABI: The UAE uniquely positioned to fuel UK’s green hydrogen growth at WFES 2026 as global energy leaders gather at the World Future Energy Summit, part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week from January 13 to 15 at the ADNEC Centre. The summit will highlight green hydrogen’s role in industrial decarbonisation and explore ways the UAE’s renewable energy experience can support the UK’s ambitious hydrogen plans.
Against the backdrop of the UK’s target to expand low‑carbon hydrogen production to 10 gigawatts by 2030, the summit creates a platform for industry leaders, policymakers and investors from both countries to build strategic partnerships and attract cross‑border investment. The UAE’s strengths in renewable energy and large‑scale Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage projects could help scale the UK’s green hydrogen market and accelerate rollout of industrial applications.
Market analysts say that after an initial period of hype, the hydrogen sector is entering a phase of realism focused on scale, capital and long‑term investor confidence. UK government figures now emphasise measurable progress on scalable projects, indicating the initiative is moving from intent to action. Sarah Jones, the UK’s Minister of State for Industry, said she is convinced hydrogen must be central to growing the economy and achieving net zero by 2050. Government and industry, she added, are already delivering projects to kickstart the UK hydrogen economy.
Dr Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy and Secretary General of the Arab Energy Club, will speak at the Summit. She noted that the UK and UAE share a strategic relationship that extends beyond energy, and hydrogen is now a natural extension of that partnership as both pursue decarbonisation and long‑term growth. She stressed that a clear regulatory framework in the UK would give international partners such as the UAE confidence to commit capital at scale and for the long term.
A series of roundtable discussions hosted at the summit last year brought together energy companies, industry groups and government bodies from both nations. Participants concluded that there is fertile ground for deeper collaboration on green hydrogen development between the UAE and UK.
Scaling green hydrogen in the UK from pilots to widespread industry use will require substantial funding. UK Government projections suggest another £9 billion of private sector investment will be needed to support 27 leading hydrogen projects. The UK also invested £500 million of public funds in June 2025 to build hydrogen infrastructure, signalling its long‑term commitment.
For its part, the UAE has already allocated billions of dollars toward green hydrogen production facilities, including projects at Ta’ziz Industrial Hub and a gigawatt‑scale hub in the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi. UAE private investors are also committing large capital, including £18.5 billion to a green hydrogen and ammonia project in Morocco that is expected to produce one million tonnes per year.
Cornelius Matthes, CEO of Dii Desert Energy, explained the UAE’s eagerness to grow domestic hydrogen capabilities so it can not only meet local demand but also tap into global decarbonisation markets. The UAE has set a target of 1.4 million tonnes per year by 2031 and, with a pipeline of new projects, is likely to exceed this level.
At WFES 2026 the Green Hydrogen Innovation Hub will showcase more than 20 startups with cutting‑edge solutions that could accelerate green hydrogen uptake. With careful planning and cooperation, the UAE and UK can use their resources, expertise and investment links to drive early adoption of green hydrogen and support cleaner energy transitions globally.
